The 3rd Sunday of Lent- Luke 13:1-9

"No I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did." Luke 13:5

Repentance and forgiveness, a strong Lenten theme, takes front and center this Sunday and next.  This week the emphasis is upon the importance of repentance.  To repent means to turn around and go in the opposite direction.  More than that, the Greek word has the sense of continuing to repent, or continual repentance.  It is not a once and done activity.  Because we are and will always be imperfect human beings in this life, repentance is a lifelong activity.  It needs to be built into our makeup, something we do continually .

Jesus points out that all are in need of repentance.  God is not judging some people as worse than others, for example, when the tower of Siloam suddenly collapsed and killed eighteen people.  They were not worse sinners, they were tragically in the wrong place at the wrong time. His example does point out that life is uncertain, and the time to repent is now.  We simply don't know what the future will bring or how long we will be given the gift of life.  God is patient.  God is merciful.  In the parable of the barren fig tree, the owner gives the gardener another year to tend to it and help it produce fruit.  The judgment is delayed, but there is limit.  Now is the time we are given.  Now is the time to repent and be right with God.  On this third Sunday in Lent, let us confess that we fall short in our love for God and others in many ways, repent, and return to Him.

Lord God, I confess to you that I have not loved you with my whole heart, mind, and strength.  I have not loved my neighbor as myself.  Today I seek to return to you, asking for your forgiveness and grace. Thank you for your patience with me, and accepting me despite my many faults.  Set me on the right path once again, loving you and serving others.  For the sake of Jesus Christ my Lord I pray.  Amen